Lauren

Coming from a community college, I see a tremendous need for 

training studnets in career skills, creating community partnerships, and finding

career that will have jobs available in the future.  

I often see a disconnect on what skills are needed for certain professions that 

students need to be made aware of - 

I struggle with calling AAS degrees "terminal" and currently focus a great deal

of my time working on articulations for AAS programs so that students have

opportunities afterward - if they decide. Too many of our own counselors

steer students toward AS/AA degrees! Good luck with your work!

You are definitely on a roll! As I read your intro and outline, my thoughts were provoked around the following: As your progressing with this research, why not include the actual stakeholders (i.e. employers) in your research efforts. I wonder how their involvement in DCCC curriculum revamp or design would impact enrollment. I agree with the need to assess current marketing strategies. I think in order to do that effectively, it does require determining the root cause of enrollment being down for CTE programs. Maybe it has nothing to do with how the programs are being marketed at all. Once you can put your finger on the pulse of why enrollment is down then a new marketing strategy might need to be put in place depending on what you find. Would a curriculum evaluation advisory board be helpful? Establish a team of employers in CTE to review DCCC's current curriculum design to see how it meets their current and future needs. Is enrollment at DCCC down in general or is it just CTE programs? I think this is worth exploring. Also, would it be too cumbersome to look at the enrollment in CTE programs at the other (13) PA community colleges. This may yield relevant data to support or disprove your position. I also wondered if employers would allow internships or mentorship programs so they have hands on involvement in teaching the students the skills they are looking for. What do you mean by types of unemployment? How might the reasons for unemployment have a bearing on your study? Another variable worth considering might be whether all of your feeder schools actually have CTE as part of their curriculum. They may be feeder schools but the bulk of the students they send to you may be enrolling in other programs due to a lack of CTE programs at the high school level. Lastly, it may also be worth it to partner with the local chapter of the Better Business Bureau and Chamber of Commerce. I think the findings are going to be really interesting.

Lauren

2. Who are the people who have influenced career decision making of students entering community colleges?

3. What marketing strategies do high schools and community colleges in Pennsylvania useto attract students to CTE programs?

4. What programs are currently in place with employers, community colleges and high schools to connect and combat the skills gaps?  Are they working?

Jen, 

I totally understand and respect your understanding of where you are with the writing. I've had several colleagues over the years who have avoided writing intensive courses at all costs. I'm just the opposite, I gravitate towards them especially at this level what is required of us is so rigorous at times we may need to scream. As I shared in my progress report, Drexel's Writing Center is a fantastic resource for us. I also forgot to mention, they allow you to schedule virtual session via Skype so you can utilize them in the comforts of home. My recommendation is Professor Rachel Wenrick. She is amazing and very down to earth. You can be totally vulnerable and transparent with her and she won't judge or criticize you. Regarding APA, I was told quite some time ago to treat the APA manual like I treat my Bible. I read it just because the information in it can make a huge difference in my life. My manual is marked up, tattered, and post it noted to death BUT it has never left me nor forsaken me. It stays by my side whenever I am doing work. I try to double check everything I do so that it lines up. It does get tedious at times but the field requires us to be APA gurus. I believe the mere fact that you acknowledged it as an area of opportunity means you are well on your way to mastery and then they'll give us an updated version with a bunch of changes to remember. I applaud your tenacity especially with younger children. I believe we are in this journey together and please know if I can ever help in anyway I will! I truly believe you are on to something great with your topic and I'm looking forward to collaborating with you in the near future!

the Perkins grant and never realized where it came

from! You context statement was very strong with excellent statistics

and I think your questions are very interesting. I wonder what goes

into the decission making process for many of our students and whnat impacts

their decisision - so many our our students move away from the AAS to an AS/AA

when in reality the courses in the AAS would be much more beneficial to them 

and offer the potential toward a career - oppsoed to struggling to try to complete

courses (Algebra and Pre Calc for my students) and unfortunatley many get frustrated

and quit or lose their financial aid and can;t continue.  

Your wall is very well done and material is excellent.

Dianna

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